What Is Important, Job Satisfaction Or The Pay?
By Perminus Wainaina
What is more important, being in a job you’re satisfied with, or one that pays you well? Would you rather go for the money or satisfaction?
These are some of the questions Sharon was battling with when she reached out. She has been looking for a job for over eight months. From the frustration and desperation she was in, she had resorted to applying for any job she came across.
Sharon is an accountant by profession; she has four years’ experience in the field. She is passionate about accounting, and says even ten years from now, she would still like to be an accountant. In her previous Job, she was earning a gross salary of 60 thousand shillings.
Three weeks ago, she was called for an interview at a startup for the position of senior accountant. A few days later, she was also called to another interview, this time; the organization was a leading betting company. The position she was interviewed for was Customer Service Executive.
A while after the interviews, both companies called her. She had passed both interviews after attending a coaching session. The betting company was offering her a gross salary of 90 thousand shillings, but it was in a field she was particularly passionate about. While the startup did offer a job in a field she was familiar with and passionate about, the gross salary offered was 45 thousand shillings.
At first, Sharon consulted with her friends and family. While they all had differing opinions, most told her to work for the betting company, as she would make more money, and be in better position to pay her bills, and possibly start a side project that she could move to eventually. A few of her friends, however, advised her to follow her passion, where she would be happy, even if the pay was lower than her previous job, and a half of what was being offered by the betting company.
“What I’m I supposed to do? Both companies would like an answer this week, so I can start in April. What do I choose?” asked Sharon.
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I have always been a firm believer that you should go for a job you like over one that pays you well. This may be a contrary opinion from advice out there. Why do I believe your satisfaction in a job is better than the size of the paycheck? Here are my reasons;
1. You should do something you enjoy
As an HR professional, I have interacted with professionals from different sectors. One of the most common types of professionals is those who went for the money but ended up in a job they did not enjoy.
Sometimes, the problem goes much deeper. Two years ago, for instance, I met a young man who was excellent at his job. However, when we started talking, he revealed he hated what he was doing. However, it is what he had studied. As a result, he felt he was stuck with a career he termed as ‘boring and unenjoyable.’
Do you want to be stuck in something you don’t enjoy? At the start, it might seem tolerable, but ask yourself if this is a state you can tolerate for five or ten years. At some point, you’ll get to a tipping point.
When choosing a career or when deciding whether or not to take a job, simply ask yourself if you’ll enjoy being at the job ten or twenty years from now.
2. You should work in a healthy environment
The state of your workplace will have an effect on your life. Essentially, your job is where you spend most of your active time. If money is your major motivation to where you work, you’ll likely overlook some of the other factors such as the values the organization holds.
I have seen professionals who earn a lucrative salary. However, they do not believe in what the organization stands for. This could frustrate you and mess with your ability to execute your roles. This could also mess with your mental health.
Recently, I was reading the story of a lady on twitter. She was at a job that had a great salary, with great additional benefits. However, her boss would verbally abuse her. Eventually, she had to leave the job as it was interfering with her productivity and mental health.
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3. You should look forward to challenges
When I asked Sharon what she was looking for in her next job, one of the things she was searching for was a challenge. At the workplace, challenges help us move to the next level.
When you’re faced with a challenge, you’re forced to think of a new approach, try new tactics, and get out of your comfort zone.
If you’re working just for the money, you might not feel the urge to rise up and tackle a challenge. When you’re at a job you like, you’ll be inclined to make the best of every situation.
For Sharon, a job in Customer Service was not her passion. As such, she would likely not go out of her way to find solutions. For the accounting job, she would likely look for solutions and get out her comfort zone to ensure the seamless running of her department and the growth of the startup.
When you’re excited about your job, you’ll seek to grow and overcome forthcoming challenges. If you’re working for money, it’s very easy to find you’ve stagnated in your career.
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After we had looked at these factors, Sharon had clarity on what path she was going to take. She ended up taking the startup job. She is excited about starting, and I believe this will help her grow both in her career, and help the startup grow to another level.
At the end of the day, your wellbeing and wholesome health are important. When you love what you do, you’ll look forward to the next day. You’ll look for ways to grow your career. When you put all these factors into consideration, it is evident that job satisfaction outweighs the pay.
Do you agree with me? Should you put job satisfaction over what you’re paid? Share with me your comments in the comments sections below.
Perminus Wainaina is the C.E.O and Managing Partner at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading HR & Recruitment consultancy firm based in Westlands. Through personalized career coaching he assists mid-level and senior professionals get solutions to complex and challenging career issues that they are facing. Click here for more on career coaching.
Wise choice Sylvia. And yes, you’re absolutely right, passion is one of the greatest drivers.
True. I would go for something that I love too. Passion is what makes us want to wake up in the morning every day.
That’s right Moses.
When you look at the most successful professionals today, they chose job satisfaction over pay.
Job satisfaction is not only important but also a key factor to success
Hello Ruth.
That is quite the crossroad.
There isn’t really an easy solution, but let us look at how best to tackle it.
It is evident that you need experience in accounting/auditing before you can effectively apply for a job and get selected.
From the employer’s side, they are concerned about is the bottom line -they need to hire someone who has relevant skills and experience.
Let’s start with the skills, how do you acquire them? Break down the key skills employers are looking for in auditing/accounting roles. Then, get these skills through training, online courses, and so on. For example, learning how to use QuickBooks or file taxes will give you an upper hand.
Secondly, you need experience. You can get relevant experience in accounting/auditing by volunteering. Look for an organization or even individual who you can use the skills you’ve learned, to gain the experience you need.
Scout for NGOs, CBOs, and SMEs who need an accountant, but cannot hire one fulltime. Volunteer or work part-time (You can even do a day or two in a month, or on Saturdays.)
Now, you have both the skills and the experience to succeed as an accountant or auditor. Showcase these skills on your CV and you’re good to go
True, job satisfaction is integral.
In every profession, if you wish to excel, you should be passionate about what you do. This passion then brings satisfaction in what you’re doing.
Wise choice Caroline.
Very true Geoffrey. Personally, I have seen professionals who loved what they were doing and they excelled past the metrics that had been set.
On the other side, if you’re working just for money, you’ll just be clocking in and out after doing what is required.
I would opt for a job satisfaction again and again .
Quite educative. I do agree because where there is satisfaction a part from the pay an employee can deliver beyond the set targets as he is always at people of his mind.
Thanks.
You’re right George.
You should always work for an organization whose values and mode of operation you agree with.
You’re right Gathu.
That is wonderful to hear. Do you feel you made the right choice?
You’re right, you should always have a plan before quitting.
Perhaps this article on quitting your job the right way will guide you.
You can also reach out for a career coaching session.
You’re right Janet.
Thank you, Bonface.
And yes, you’re absolutely correct.
That is very true. You’re on point.
Perfect summation Florence.
That’s wonderful Mildred.
You’re most welcome.
Thank you, Brian.
We’re glad to see the content is of benefit to you.
Excellent sum up.
You’re right, job satisfaction triumphs the paycheck any day.
Thank you.
Most companies today are giving out a yearly -or less- contract. At the end of the contract period, they then review your performance, which then directs the course of action.
Job satisfaction is what i believe in,especially my profession
You’re right Lucy.
Startups especially, have overlapping roles. This provides a chance to grow and learn new aspects of the business.
I like the fact that she went for what she loved. She has better a better chance of learning not only in accounting but also from other departments as well, since there are chances that roles may overlap thus providing a platform for her to learn more depending on how she looks at it.
I agree with job satisfaction! However, I have been getting very short contracts since last year.
Hi Perminus,
I’m CPA (K) with combination of BCOM Finance and PGD tax and administration.I’ve worked as credit office in a certain microfinance bank for the last 5 years.To be honest I don’t like what I do, but i just do it to be able to meet my bills and become independent.Unfortunate,this is my first job, that I decided to venture in after I had tarmac for accounting job without success.They say, you should start from somewhere and you should not choose a job especially when you have no other option.
My question is,how do I opt out of this credit banking career into my passion career i.e audit/accounting job? I’ve tried applying for accounting,finance/audit job,and even got shortlisted for interviews but never got through.Most times, after enquiring they say I don’t have experience in that field.If I apply for entry position like graduate trainees i’m locked out due to work experience.what do I do?
#crossroad
hello Perminus,
I am a firm believer that one should get a job that they enjoy doing rather than getting a job that pays very well but one is not passionate about. It is in human nature to get bored easily when they are at a place they don’t feel comfortable which often times leads to low productivity and in extreme cases even mental breakdown.When one is not productive in a work place, eventually they will always get fired . I mean no employer is willing to pay someone who is not adding any value to their company. Getting fired from work is the worst thing that can happen to anyone’s career since you’ll leave behind a bad reputation, which means no recommendation from your previous employer thus making it harder for you to get your next job.
On the other hand,doing a job that one likes always leads to full satisfaction which in turn leads to anticipation of your next day to work and in turn more productivity. You will have a purpose for waking up morning and going to work,you will find creative ways of solving problems and achieve great things in life. In general you will live a happy soul and isn’t that what everybody seeks in life? happiness and purpose.
So for me i will always choose passion over pay. Money is not always everything.
Very true on the topic
Very helpful. Thanks.
I would go for job satisfaction over a good pay any day. You maybe smiling at the end of the month because you have a six figure salary but you are unhappy everyday because you don’t enjoy what you do. Enjoying what you do, opens up a way to learn more, creates room for growth and at the end you are satisfied and happy.
I agree, Job satisfaction is not a myth or that only a few are lucky to get. We should aspire to love what we do. It makes life so much worth living.
This is very true and motivating.
Job Satisfaction surpasses monetary gains.
When you are satisfied, you become more and more productive.
Bonface
I agree, job satisfaction is very important!
I totally agree with you on that and my energy has been depleted.
Sometimes hanging on a job that drains you makes you resign your post every single day, the only thing that keeps us in that particular job is that we can’t quit the job without a proper plan. The worst thing is resigning and start looking for a job that kills you even before you get the job, that’s why we stay on until something better comes up.
I believe job satisfaction comes over the pay. Importantly,listen to your ” inner GPS”- your heart and gut. Faced with a similar situation,l went with my heart and gut.
Sharon likes accounting, the betting company was offering her that opportunity plus better pay but she went for the alternative. Why?
“I have seen professionals who earn a lucrative salary. However, they do not believe in what the organization stands for. This could frustrate you and mess with your ability to execute your roles. This could also mess with your mental health.”